94 
HINTS TO T&AVELLEHS. 
alcohol very speedily. The rapidity with which this absorption takes 
place should be carefully watched, and in warm climates the liquid tested 
at least every twelve hours, and fresh spirit added to restore it to its 
original strength. In colder climates it is not requisite to watch so 
closely, but practice will show what attention is necessary. It will be 
found that absorption of alcohol will be about proportionate to the rate 
of decomposition. Spirit should not be used too strong, as its effect is to 
contract the outer surface, and thus, closing the pores, to prevent the 
alcohol from penetrating through to the inner parts of the specimen. The 
principal point, then, is to watch that the strength of the spirit does not get 
below a certain point while the specimen is absorbing alcohol ivhen first put in. 
It will be found that after two or three days the spirit retains its strength: 
when this is the case, the specimen will be perfectly preserved. Spirit 
should not be thrown away, no matter how often used, so long as the 
traveller has a reserve of sufficient strength to bring it back to its requisite 
strength. 
In selecting specimens for immersion, regard must be had to the 
means at the traveller’s disposal. Fish up to 9 inches long maybe placed 
in spirit, with simply a slit cut to allow the spirit to enter to the entrails. 
With larger specimens, it is better to pass a long knife outside the ribs, so 
as to separate the muscles on each side of the vertebrae. It is also as well 
to remove as much food from the entrails as possible, taking care to leave 
all these in. The larger specimens can be skinned, leaving, however, the 
intestines in, and simply removing the flesh. Yery large specimens pre¬ 
served in this way absorb very little spirit. All half-digested food should 
be removed from snakes and animals. In spite of these precautions, 
specimens will often appear to be decomposing; but, by more constant 
attention to re-strengthening the spirit, they will, in most cases, be 
preserved. 
A case (copper is the best), with a top that can be unscrewed and 
refixed easily, should always be carried as a receptacle. The opening 
should be large enough to allow the hand to be inserted; this is to hold 
freshly-caught specimens. When they have become preserved, they can 
all be removed and soldered up in tin or zinc boxes. Zinc is best, as it 
does not corrode so easily. The traveller will find it very convenient to 1 
take lessons in soldering, and to be able to make his own boxes. If he 
takes them ready made, they had best be arranged so as to fit one into- 
